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cracklover
Mar 10, 2008, 3:13 PM
Post #2 of 5
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Registered: Nov 14, 2002
Posts: 10162
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Just start small (short single-pitch stuff) and work your way up. You'll figure it all out in time.
The nice thing is there are no lines! You can spend 2 hours aiding that classic 5.8 finger crack that usually has a line around the block, and no-one will even be at the crag!
Have fun.
GO
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tolman_paul
Mar 10, 2008, 11:22 PM
Post #3 of 5
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Registered: Apr 22, 2005
Posts: 385
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A couple thoughts. Definately stick with southern exposure. If the sun is out rocks get suprisingly warm. I was rock climbing when it was 7F, and my hands and feet didn't get that cold, above freezing is obviously much better. I'd be hard pressed to climb rock or ice with sub zero ambient temps.
The biggest downsides would be that if you are wearing mountaineering boots, it's a pita stuffing them in aiders. Worse yet is gloves, they make even clipping a biner a pita, so go with the thinnest gloves you can stand, something like x-country ski gloves.
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rangerrob
Mar 11, 2008, 1:57 AM
Post #4 of 5
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Registered: Apr 8, 2003
Posts: 641
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Just curious...why is it that you don't like ice climbing? I gotta say aiding in ther winter involves even a bigger tolerance for misery and suffering than ice climbing does. Been there...done that.
RR
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joeforte
Apr 2, 2008, 4:01 PM
Post #5 of 5
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Registered: May 9, 2005
Posts: 1093
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I live in the northeast and I LOVE aid climbing in the winter. We don't get enough ice down my way so I started aid soloing single pitch stuff. I love aiding in miserable weather. It's a blast.
Here are some advantages:
You can take your time
Eat lunch mid pitch
Listen to music while fiddling with gear
Learn how to self belay
Learn how to avoid clusterf*cks
Learn how to untangle clusterf*cks
Get better at chosing the right size piece the first time
Learn cool tricks to get you out of crappy situations
Learn how to aid the rest of that trad pitch you just can't seem to finish when daylight is dwindling
Pick up chicks.... wait no thats surfing...
Pick up booty
Learn how to deal with the cold/wet.
Learn what clothing is truly waterproof/breathable
Being only a pitch off the ground, retreat is easy
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